Maliah McCann-Coles Shows Scholastic and Leadership Might as Rhodes Scholar Finalist

West Virginia Student Maliah McCann-Coles was named a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship (a fully-funded post-grad scholarship to Oxford in the UK.) It is one of the top most competitive scholarships in the world. The search ended. McCann-Coles narrowly missed winning. However, this does not diminish the brightness of her accomplishment. 

The University of Charleston senior and Hurricane native was one of only two students in the history of the University of Charleston to make it to the finalist round of the prestigious scholarship this November. (Only 32 across the United States win.) 

The scholarship looks at qualities such as scholastic attainment, critical thinking, integrity, intellectual curiosity, leadership and a desire to contribute positively to society. 

McCann-Coles will graduate in spring of this year, with degrees in Political Science and Business Administration, majoring in Management with concentrations in Business Analytics and Accounting. She is a Presidential Scholar. She participates in an array of activities beyond the classroom. She is a member of UC Honors College, sprinter on the track and field team, on the cheerleading squad and a student government representative. 

Last spring, she was named the inaugural Rita Avashia Fellow in Honors, recognizing leadership, academic excellence and commitment to community.  

We applaud Maliah McCann-Coles’ academic achievements and wish her luck into the future as she continues to make West Virginians proud.